IPL 2018 | Play-off games shifted from Pune to Kolkata

Prior to the start of the Indian Premier League this year, the Maharashtra Cricket Association had asked the BCCI and IPL authorities to allow them to host the two qualifier matches. As per IPL rules, the team that reached the final in the previous year would host two qualifying matches in the next edition of the tournament and now-defunct side Rising Pune Supergiant had managed to reach the finals last year, only to lose out to Mumbai Indians in what was a low-scoring affair.

After IPL authorities decided to give them the permission to host the games, something unthinkable happened. MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings decided to shift their base to a different location after growing concern regarding the players’ safety due to Cauvery water issue. Dhoni and Co. decided to relocate to Pune since the former Indian skipper was accustomed to the conditions and the pitch in Maharashtra since his RPS days.

This freed up the two qualifying match spots on the tournament roster, which, after today’s announcement by Shukla were handed over to the Bengal Cricket Association. 

"The GC has confirmed that Kolkata will host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 on 23 and 25 May respectively," Shukla was quoted as saying by PTI.

Eden Gardens, the home of Kolkata Knight Riders will play host to the two qualifying matches for this year’s play-offs and the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai will host the Qualifier one and the Final on May 22 and 27 respectively.